Tampilkan postingan dengan label summer. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label summer. Tampilkan semua postingan

Minggu, 06 Juli 2014

Blackberry and Peach Sparkling {Camping} Sangria #SundaySupper



It's July (in case you didn't know) which means it's really. freaking. hot. here in Phoenix (in case the obvious eludes you) which means it is officially time to get the heck out of the desert (duh). I'm counting the days until we can go up north and watch the temperature gage in the car drop down into the 70's. Ahhhhhh...... Luckily, "up north" is only about 3 hours away so coolness is within our grasp and I'm not one to not grasp at opportunities when they are shoved in my face.


perfect to take camping, on a picnic or to the beach!







The correct path is the path that leads to a Sangria.......


















Let's be honest for a minute shall we? I love camping, always have which may surprise some of you seeing as how I also enjoy some of the finer things in life. I love the fresh air, the nothing to do but sit and stare at the trees and the blue sky and watch the clouds slowly drift away and become sunset unimpaired by pollution and skyscrapers. I love campfires and I love snuggling in a blanket in July. I love watching my children run around in nature and make up games to play that don't involve batteries. I love watching my son's help their 4 year old sister find a fuzzy caterpillar and I love that she loves caterpillars.






How I like to spend the day camping.




All of the love and fuzzy feelings aside, camping is without a doubt a LOT of prep work and then cleaning up. Now, add 4 kids to the scenario and you can times that work by1 million. Yup, that's 25,000 x's per child, it's a scientific fact.




How my children like to spend the day camping
{this was exactly 8 minutes after I washed, dressed and did her hair for the day.}













Which brings me to sangria's. Because who the hell goes camping without a little bit of happy juice?

Sure, you could bring plain old wine or beer but wouldn't it be nice to plop down in your brand new anti gravity lounger after a long day of driving (yes 3 hours is a long drive with 4 kids and a dog) and after hours of setting up camp (yes, we tent it) and wrap a blanket around you and your sweetie an sip on a light and fruity sparkling white sangria?


I knew you'd understand.











The best part? You make this sangria by literally throwing a handful of ingredients into a big pitcher and then pour into little mason jars, chill for at least 8 and up to 48 hours while they get all kinds of better. Perfect for camping, picnics or just sitting by the pool.










So let's get to it shall we?








You will need

4-6 small Mason jars
1 bottle of dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc (the one pictured above, found at World Market was fantastic!!) ask your wine guy if you're not sure.
1- 1&1/2 cups peach nectar (depending on how sweet you like it)
1/2-1 cup peach flavored vodka (depending on how boozy you like it)
2-3 cups low sodium club soda (depending on how bubbly you like it)
1 heaping cup fresh blackberries, rinsed
2 large white peaches, pitted and chopped into small cubes

Mix the liquids in a large container and set aside. Place a small handful of berries and peaches into each Mason jar. Pour the liquid mixture into each jar and close. Refrigerate until ready to enjoy. These will keep in the fridge or cooler on ice for up to 4 days. Beware, the fruit gets pretty boozy the longer it sits!







 The Sunday Supper bloggers have been working hard to bring you everything you need to keep cool and snack happy this summer! Check out this roundup of everything from drinks, salads and wraps to cool desserts. A big huge thanks to this weeks host, Alaiyo from Pescetarian Journal!






Sunday Supper Movement



Brisk Beverages
Chilled Starters
Snappy Salads and Sides
Refreshing Main Dishes
Cool Confections







Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET.  Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
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Kamis, 03 Juli 2014

Banana Split Popsicles {sugar free & healthy}








Inspiration for today's post comes from the fact that is 113F out and getting. even. hotter. The fact that it doesn't rain here in Phoenix makes me wonder how the hell so many idiots people decided to make this their home. It's a mystery..... and I'm Native..... idiot.






To make matters even more miserable, I work in the Operating Room aka meat locker (that didn't come out right). Meaning that we keep the AC around 59F-62F at all times and complain when it reaches 66.7F.  We are a strange group us medical people. So when I leave the perfectly normal frigid temps of the O.R. and walk outside into the blinding desert sun (no windows in surgery, could be an apocalypse and we'd never know) my internal body temperature starts to boil in exactly 13.2 seconds. Which is exactly how long it takes me to get to my car, open the door and step right into HELL, at 125+ degrees F.



Leather seats, wearing shorts, with no window shade, no parking garage, in Phoenix, in July. I'm all kinds of smart.




Eating a Banana Split on a stick = Very, very smart.






What I do have going for me are Popsicles. Granted I've seriously considered rubbing them all over my overheated face and body on more than one occasion. Desperate times, desperate measures.

Typically, light and fruity Popsicles or even frozen fruit are our only source of snacking and desserts here during the summer months but seeing as that it's a Major Holiday in July I decided to step dessert up a level.




What's even better than a big Ooooey Goooey Banana Split? A Banana Split that is combined together, layer by layer and then frozen on a stick to slowly enjoy while you sit waist deep in your pebble tech, salt water pool. With your big, ridiculous floppy hat of course.






Strawberry, coconut puree, frozen bananas blended with vanilla almond milk and fresh cherries and pineapple in every bite. Drizzle with chocolate and sprinkle with chopped peanuts. 
Summer just got better. 










I learned a few things while making these Banana Split Popsicles,


  1. Making and attempting to photograph popsicles in July in Phoenix is a feat worthy of serious admiration. 
  2. Banana Splits in popsicle form are sheer genius that you can eat single handedly while sitting in the pool, no spoon required.
  3. I need a cherry pitter thingy-ma-jig.
  4. My mom just called me a lazy bum because I want a cherry pitter thingy-ma-jig. She's mean. 
  5. It's perfectly acceptable to dip fresh cherries and pineapple into melted chocolate before dinner while you are waiting 3-5 minutes in between popsicle layers to freeze. 








You will need

A ZOKU popsicle maker or other popsicle mold
2 cups fresh strawberries, greens removed, or not (I leave them on, lots of nutrients!)
1/2 cup coconut milk (in a can)
* tablespoon monk fruit in the raw
2 fresh bananas
1/2 cup vanilla (or plain) almond milk)
*1 tablespoon monk fruit in the raw
1 handful fresh cherries, pitted and cut in half
1 handful of pineapple tidbits
1 cup semi sweet chocolate, melted
1/2 cup chopped peanuts



To Make

In a blender, combine strawberries, coconut milk and monk fruit in the raw. Blend until smooth. Carefully pour into popsicle molds 1/4 deep. If using a ZOKU, wait 3 minutes till frozen then pour in the banana mixture. If using old fashioned popsicle molds, put in freezer until frozen, about 2 hours.
Rinse out strawberry puree from blender and then add bananas, almond milk and monk fruit in the raw. Blend until smooth. Drop a few cherries and pineapple tidbits into popsicle molds then carefully pour in banana mixture. If using a ZOKU, let freeze for a few minutes then remove and drizzle melted chocolate on top and sprinkle with chopped nuts. 









Need some more summer worthy snacks? I've seen some pretty delicious and perfectly picnic/4th of July worthy recipes from my blogging buddies such as:





Boozy (or not) Watermelon Stars







Red White and Blueberry Yogurt Pops from The View from the Great Island







Something super simple








These Fire Cracker Berry Margarita Floats from Half Baked Harvest!








And of course PIE! I know Apple Pie is an American Symbol of summer and picnics and even the 4th of July but I happen to l.o.v.e.  home made Cherry Pie the most.


Loaded Cherry Pie from Joanna at Eats Well with Others








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Minggu, 29 Juni 2014

Melon and Prosciutto Arugula Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar #SundaySupper



Do you like my new blog design? I'm so excited! I've been on the fence for ever about upgrading my old school template that I've had for years. Yet something nagged me every time I went to purchase a professional design about spending money on a hobby. Also, I have spent countless hours designing and editing and re editing and redesigning my {old}  blog. It was kind of my baby, granted it had the face only a mother could truly love.
























Alas, I came across an amazingly talented graphics and web designer named Dana Fox of Envye. Her multitude of web designs and graphics were just what I was looking for and at a price that wouldn't take money away from my children's college fund (although child number 1 kind of ruined the whole ride on my parents shoulders through his freshmen year of college while I slack off more than fungus on a rock deal for the rest of the darlings) but we won't talk about that.


There are still a few fun features that I am working on like a Photo Recipe Page and cuter side titles and organization but I'm pretty thrilled with my clean, updated look, however simple and late to the game it may be. Simple is exactly how I roll. Name of the blog Yo  {missing Breaking Bad......}


Onto picnicky goodness. I have to say this is probably without a doubt the crazy easiest and also most surprisingly delicious recipes I've ever made. I got up at an un-Godly hour this morning to go to work and saved a life via a total knee replacement and yet another by assisting in the removal of a bum gall bladder. Afterwards, I managed to drag myself to the grocery store in the 110F disgusting heat, talk myself out of going Cost Plus Market to purchase a melon baller, picked up a couple of melons and some prosciutto and then came home to take a 2 hour nap (don't judge) and still throw together this salad.



It's that simple.











Just in the nick of time too! I woke up tired and a wee bit cranky and if there had been a tub of ice cream in my freezer I might have resorted to having that for dinner (hiding in the closet from the kids of course).  5 ingredients later and I was savoring crisp, sweet melon, salty and slightly sinful prosciutto, peppery arugula and sweet, thick, real strawberry balsamic vinegar. I love me.


P.S. I get my oils and vinegars from a local shop called Olive Creations which is my idea of an adult version of the best candy shop in the world. I got this strawberry balsamic vinegar there which is perfect in summer salads, they have peach too. I got a maple balsamic vinegar during the fall season which I drizzled on ham and sweet potato casserole alike. I always have their basic olive oil on hand for salad dressings as well as infused oils like garlic, rosemary, lemon (for fish) and several others. I never knew how rancid store bought olive oil was or how sickly sweet and fake balsamic vinegars were until I happened upon the real thing.












This salad was the star at our dinner table tonight but it's really a tribute to Independence Day, Picnics, family and living life simply and gratefully. I'm so thrilled to be a part of the Sunday Supper Movement and all that it stands for. A big, virtual hug to Jane at Jane's Adventures in Dinner who is gracious enough to host this weeks Sunday Supper in honor of Independence Day and celebrating with our loved ones picnic style.









TIME     10 MINUTES           SERVES     10 as an appetizer


You Will Need


1 cantaloupe melon, cut into small square (or cute flower shapes :)
1 honeydew melon, cut into small square (or cute flower shapes :)
4 slices of prosciutto cut very thin by your deli counter person
4 big handfuls of baby arugula (much less bitter than regular arugula)
1/2 cup of red onion sliced thinly
drizzle with strawberry balsamic vinegar









Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our href="
http://pinterest.com/thesundaysupper/sundaysupper/">#SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy! You can sign up by clicking here: href="http://sundaysuppermovement.com/forums/">Sunday Supper Movement.



Sunday Supper Movement







Enough Picnic Inspiration to last you a hundred picnics! Check out these talented bloggers for some perfect picnic food.





Here's the html:

Beverages
Appetizers
Mains
Sides
Salads
Sandwiches and Wraps
Sweets
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Rabu, 25 Juni 2014

The Ultimate Summer { #fourthofJuly } Roundup.




from beach totes and sunglasses to picnic treats and beach games, I gotcha covered.






My must have summer {4th of July} Picks!






These colorful Wow Rackets are just the thing for outdoor fun! They make a   booming  noise whenever they hit the included ball or birdie, they're just the thing for noisy, far-flung fun.

 










This  Cherry Red Retro Cooler  is not only  obviously  awesome and unique but will be the envy of all of your guests. 











My  l.o.v.e. / obsession for all things retro and vintage means this picnic basket  stole my heart. Reminiscent of 1950's popular originals and updated with a fresh fruit design. Its chic retro appeal is the perfect companion for picnics or other outdoor events, with solid wood handles that fold down for easy carrying, plenty of storage space and a durable metal construction. 


Did I mention it's under $15?!!










You can't officially have a lazy summer day without a hammock. Don't have trees to hang one from? Me neither.  No worries, this beautiful hammock swings on a gorgeously crafted Cypress wood stand.


snooze  worthy. 









Escape to your favorite summer getaway with  this Sand Dollar Bracelet, handmade from sand gathered from your choice of one of 1,800 picturesque world beaches.  I love the clean, simpleness  of this bracelet. 












And how about some FREEBIES?  I thought so. 





and




this collection of free Fourth of July Fonts.










this DIY no Sew Beach Tote.    loveliness that even I can create!










Fashion. 


As far as fashion goes, I'd like to say I'm comfortably stylish when I'm not wearing hospital acquired scrubs or {mommy required} yoga pants.  Maxi skirts, tank tops, chunky jewelry involving and centering around turquoise and other stones and thin, not to loose sweaters are my go to weekend outfits.












and this








and also this












I'm Currently Coveting these Tom Ford Sunglasses which have been spotted on   (like I care)  Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron (girl crush), Brad Pitt and Anjelina Jolie.
   I just think they're   Ho   capitol  T.








and last but not least....  the food, glorious food.

Summer foods have always been a favorite of mine, I think probably because they involve a lot of Popsicles, fruit and Popsicles. All of which I prefer to eat by the pool or on a beach chair with a floppy hat.





P.S. Big floppy hats and sunglasses required.












Picnic  Worthy Garden Pasta Salad  and  Fresh Fruit Kabobs.


























Cute factor.  Hand Made Wooden Utensils and Patriotic Paper Straws.












This set of 4 Stars and Stripes Napkins to add a bit of retro flare to your picnic table. and an  oversized, monogramed picnic blanket to snuggle on.














Lastly,


The splurge worthy, in the name of  Patriotism.... of course.  Strawberry-Blueberry Cheesecake Trifles. and these cute  Fire Works Cookies (with easy tutorial).



















































and so, so  much more.............



wishing you a very relaxing summer my friends!
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Rabu, 18 Juni 2014

PICOBLAT : What you need to bring to your next picnic! #PicnicGame






Somebody told me that today was the halfway marker of summer on the calendar. That someone has also has only lived in The Valley of the Sun for exactly 3.5 months. Ummm,  did the nickname "The Valley of the Sun" not clue you in? I was sorry to burst his shiny, happy yet clueless bubble but summer unofficially or not starts in mid April and ends at the very tail end of October here in Phoenix. Prepare yourself.






I did clue him into a little known secret that apparently is well kept by us Zonies. There is relief from the scorching heat only a stones throw away via the I-17. Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff, Greer and other retreat from the heat towns are a minimum of a 2 hours drive North from Phoenix. And....... wait for it........... there are a handful of beautiful bodies of water known as creeks and lakes scattered amidst the desert mountains (puddles in comparison to the Midwestern lakes but we love them nonetheless).












































"Puddles" of water that are perfect for a day trip, beat the heat picnic getaway. We are masters of this scenario. We pack mostly healthy snacks to last all day long, plenty of water and fish bait to keep the kids entertained.

I have to say that as a Native Arizonan, I haven't shared some of my most favorite places to picnic or camp with the newbies because let's face it, tourists can cramp your style and solitude is nothing short of a blessing when you live a hectic life in the city. I will however share with you a picture or two of our latest stumble upon spot somewhere along the Mogollon Rim, pronounced,  /mʌɡɨˈjoʊn/ or /moʊɡəˈjoʊn/) or /mɒɡɒdʒɔːn


Did that help?





















So what do I bring on road trip picnics? Fruits, veggies, cheeses and PICOBLAT, of course. 

 An acronym for 

 P eppers
I talian dressing
C ilantro
O nion
B lack beans
L ime juice
A vocado
T omatoes
When put all together and let to marinade for a day equals the perfect picnic food.
No need for instructions on this, it's really super simple and you can add as much or as little as you prefer of each ingredient, although I do recommend going easy on the Italian dressing (house/creamy style) and heavy on the lime juice. Also, if you use canned black beans, you want to drain them first. I also add chopped jicama to this more often than not which adds the crunch factor.














Need more ideas and inspiration for you summer picnicking? Check out these fabulous recipes perfect for summer noshing.




Today we are celebrating International Picnic Day by bringing you a basket packed with goodies from A to Z, in the style of the picnic game! Drop by the Sunday Supper Movement to see the whole picnic spread out on our virtual blanket.

I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing...
Asian Chicken Salad from Try Anything Once Culinary
Beautiful Beet Salad from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Chicken Muffuletta from Marlene Baird
Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups from The Dinner-Mom
Elote from Peaceful Cooking
Fennel Slaw from FoodieTots
Greek Farro Salad from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Honey Porter Glazed Chicken and Vegetable Skewers from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Italian Pasta Salad from Casa de Crews
Japanese Plum Sushi from NinjaBaking.com
Kudos Kitchen Kolaches from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
Lemon Yogurt Bundt Cake from In The Kitchen With KP
Molasses Lovers Baked Beans from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Northern Bean Salad with Egg and Prosciutto from Family Foodie
Orzo Salad from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
PICOBLAT from Simply Healthy Family
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